Missing Mail? Portland Postmaster Could Be To Blame

Let's be honest, the best mail is often the mail with the iconic Amazon smile on the package. Now that doesn't mean other mail isn't important. Some Portlanders and surrounding areas may have unknowingly had their mail delayed due to Amazon packages being prioritized.

As reported by the Portland Press Herald, Postmaster James Thornton is being accused of prioritizing Amazon packages over first-class mail causing delays.

According to News Center Maine, in addition to Portland, the Portland Post Office distributes mail to Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland Foreside, Scarborough, South Portland, and Westbrook.

Such a delay is against federal law that states,

Whoever, being a Postal Service officer or employee, unlawfully secretes, destroys, detains, delays, or opens any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail entrusted to him...shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

The accusation was made by several mail carriers, two whished to remain anonymous, but the accusation was spearheaded by Mark Seitz who indicated that the improper prioritization occurred on June 29th, July 6th, and July 13th. The allegations state that there was enough mail to fit four or five 4-foot by 5-foot bins that were being left overnight.

The Portland Press Herald also noted that part of the issue could be financial cuts as, previously, if the mail wasn't sorted by the time morning carriers left, they would return or an assistant would step in to ensure proper delivery times. According to the new allegations, clerks have been told to stop sorting early and sent home to save money.

Senator Angus King's office is currently looking into the allegations according to the Portland Press Herald.

So if you've been following your tracking information like a hawk and have experienced delays without reason, or if you're missing a bill or letter for grandma this could be the reason.